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Study in ContrastsEchus Chasma, a region north of Mars’ Valles Marineris canyons, shows curving patterns of light and dark. The area shown was flooded by lava flows, producing rough and smooth surfaces that collected bright dust differently.
Photograph by NASA/JPL/University of Arizona

Week's Best Space Pictures: Ceres' Bright Spots Unmasked

Ocean plankton makes psychedelic swirls, and a volcano awakens for the first time in over a century.

ByMichael Greshko
December 11, 2015

Feed your need for heavenly views of the universe. This week, ancient geologic scars crisscross Mars’ surface, Pluto’s floating mountains get a close-up, and scientists survey the aftermath of a gruesome galactic collision.